Zimbabwe govt urged to appoint religion minister

The Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum (CSCJF) has urged the government to establish a dedicated Minister of Religion to oversee and protect the interests of churches and other religious groups - arguing that faith communities represent the country's largest social constituency.

CSCJF coordinator Max Mkandla said the appointment of such a minister would help ensure that religious groups are represented at national policy level. He added that government engagement with churches would be more effective if conducted through a ministry specifically tasked with understanding the diversity of religious practices in the country.

Mkandla cited churches such as Johane Masowe, noting that their doctrines do not require the construction of physical buildings for worship. Instead, he said, these groups need access to land for ablution facilities near their open-air worship sites.

He appealed to local authorities to stop chasing away apostolic sect groups and other open-air worshipers, saying their mode of worship is rooted in their belief system and should not be criminalised.

"The minister should also find out from the councils why those people are not having stands in areas where there is illegal farming conducted by residents," he said.

"There is a need for the councils to allocate these churches space for the construction of toilets. These churches are being denied access to stands even after applying for them. Some have waited up to 10 years."

CSCJF's call comes as many local authorities tighten regulations against open-air worship, citing environmental harm, pollution and public health risks. Plumtree Town Council recently passed a by-law banning open-air worship, effective January next year.

Mkandla said government support should include drilling boreholes near open-air worship sites to help fulfil water, sanitation and hygiene requirements for the congregants.

"The people in this country are Christians, they put God first and they must be allowed to practice their religion anywhere," he added.

The CSCJF maintains that a dedicated ministry would help balance public health concerns with the constitutional right to freedom of worship, ensuring that religious groups-particularly those practicing in open spaces-are not marginalised.